Starting apparatus for internal-combustion engines



Dec. 2,1924.

N. A. CHRISTENSEN STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINESFiled March 19, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 2, 1924.

1,517,533 N. A. CHRISTENSEN STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINES Filed March 19 1921 INVENTOR:

flazvv WWW WWW ATTORNEYS,

N. A. CHRISTENSEN STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL'COMBUSTION ENGINESFiled March 19, 1921 5 Sheets -Sheet 5 INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

W S 4 a WW I I 2 a vNNu QW N. A. CHRISTENSEN STARTING APPARATUS FORINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Dec. 2, 1924.

Filed March 19, 1921 5 She ts-s t 4 0 3 w w m n /w A F 1 2K 1 Z 5ATTORNEYS.

N. A. CHRISTENSEN STARTING APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 19, 1921 INVENTOR. 4424 5. %/m/ BY AATTORNEYQ'.

Patented Dec. 2, 1924.

v UNITED STATES NIELS A. CHRISTENSEN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

STARTING APPARATUS FOR- INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed March 19, 1921. Serial No. 453,798.

To all w ham it may concern Be it known that I, NIELS A. CHRISTEN- SEN,a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county ofMilwaukee and State of WVisconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Starting Apparatus for Internal-Combustion Engines, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, forming a part thereof. 7

'This invention relates more particularly to starting apparatus of thetype shown and described in Letters Patent issued to me June 16, 1916,No. 1,185,874, andJanuary 15, 1918, No. 1,253,669, such apparatusemploying an explosive mixture of air and 011 or other fluid fuel andcomprising the usual or any suitable ignition system, a reservoir forcompressed air, acompressor for charging the reservoir, a carbureter forproducing the requisite explosive mixture of air and fuel, distributingvalve mechanism for admitting charges of the explosive mixture underpressure to the engine cylinders at the beginning of the firing orworking strokes of the pistons, and a drivers valve controlling theconnections of the compressor and distributing valve mechanism with thereservoir.

The main objects of the present invention are to facilitate installationof the apparatus in motor vehicles and with engines of different kindsand makes; toafford easy access to internal partsof the apparatus,particularly of the compressor, for inspection, repair or renewalwithout disturblng the mounting of the apparatus as a whole; to simplifyand improve the construction and operation of the distributing valvemechanism and avoid unnecessary wear thereof; to facilitate timing thedistributing valve mechanism for .installation with engines of differentkinds, so that the apparatus can be assembled in the factory where it ismade for any given engine and afterwards mounted on such engine byothers without taking the apparatus apart; to en able the apparatus as aunit to be mounted on an .engine in the place of the ordlnary magneto.and connected with the magneto to the samedriving shaft withoutretlming the n1agneto;., to; prevent assembling the rotary distributingvalve and the shaft or member which drives it in any butthe correctangularfrelation to each other; to automatically control the operationof the compressor according to the pressure which it produces; tomaintain the requisite pressure in the compressed air reservoir withoutspecial care or attention; to maintain an adequate and substantiallyconstant supply of oil or liquid fuel for carbureting the compressed airas it passes through the apparatus to the engine; to avoid injury to thecarbureter float and interference with its proper operation bysubjecting it to the starting pressure; to prevent flooding of theapparatus with the liquid fuel; to automatically lubricate the workingparts of the apparatus from a connection with the ordinary lubricatingsystem of the engine with which it is installed; and generally tosimplify and improve the construction and operation of startingapparatus of the type to which the invention pertains.

The invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combinationof parts as hereinafter particularly described pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawing like characters designate the same parts inthe several figures.

Figure 1 is a general View in side elevation, of starting apparatusembodying the invention as applied to a typical four-cylinder engine, inconnection with a magneto in the usual place of which the starter unitis mounted; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section on theline 22, Fig. 3, of the starter unit, comprising acompressor, compressorgovernor or controller, distributing valve mechanism, carburetor anddrive connections; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the starterunit on the line 33, Fig. 2; Fig. at is a detail side elevation of thereversible closure and bearing member and lubricant supply connectionwhich is attached to the right hand side of the starter unit, as shownin Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the starter unit as viewed fromthe right relative to Fig. 2, and a vertical cross section on the line5-5 of the same figure, of the distributing valve; Fig. 6 is a partialvertical cross section on the line 66, Figs. 1 and 2, the distributingvalve case being removed; Fig. 7 is a section on the line 77, Fig. 5, ofthe distributing valve and adjacent part of the main case section; Fig.8 is an outside face view of the distributing valve seat; Fig. 9 is aninside face view'of said valve seat; Fig. 10 is an and inside face viewof the distributing valve disk; Fig. 11 is an inside face view of thelocking washer for the valve disk; Fig. 12 is an enlarged verticalsection on theline 12-12, Fig. 3, of the compressor governor orcontroller; Fig. 13 is a similar view of the drivers or controllingvalve; Fig. 14 is a similar view of thefioat chamber of the carbureter;Fig. 15 is an end elevation of the crank case ofthe compressor as viewedfrom the left relative to Fig. 2, with the coverremoved; Fig. '16 is aplan view of a modilied construction ofthe starter unit having theca'rbureter float chamber formed therein; and Fig. 17 is a verticalcross section thereof on theline 1717,Fig. 16.

Referring to Fig. 1, the"apparatus comprises a compressor, adistributing valve, a carbureter, a compressor governor or controller,and'a through drive shaft assembled for mounting as a unit in the placeof the usual magneto 1 and driven from the same shaft, as for example,the pump shaft of the engine, with which the drive shaft is connected atone end, the magneto being connected with the other end of said driveshaft, andmounted with the starter unit on the same bracket or baseplate 2, which may be adapted for attachment to engine bases orframes'of different makes or kinds.

In "addition to said unit the apparatus comprises a compressed airreservoir 3, and

a drivers valve controlling the connections between thereservoir,compressor, distributing valve and compressor governor.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, in connection with Fig. 1, the compressorcomprises a cylinder 4, removably' mounted on the upper side of a crankand clutch case 5, and provided with a piston 6,'which is connected by arod 7 with a crank 8 provided with bearings 9 and 10 in the crank andclutch case. The crank and clutch case is formed as shown in Figs. 2 and15, with an opening inthe outer end and with an opening in the upperside merging with the end opening intothe-crank chamber 12, and the endopening ispro'vided with a removable cover 13, in'which the crankbearing '10 is fitted and held in axial alignment with the bearing 9.The cylinder 4 communicates at its lower end with the crank chamber 12through the opening in the upper side thereof, and is provide'dat' itsupper end with an automatic d scharge valve 14, and between its endswith air intake openings 15.

The chamber of'the discharge valve is connected, as shown in 'Fig. 1, bya pipe 17with a drivers or controlling valve 18, wh ch 'int'urn isconnected by a pipe '19, with the reservoir 3.

The crank and clutch case 5, which is formed as shownin Figs. 2 and 3,witha longitudinal "bore in axial alignment with the crank bearings 9and 10, is removably bolted or fastened to an upward extension of a maincase or carburetor section 21 of the starter unit, with which it forms agear case or chamber 22. The main case section 21 is formed with anextended mounting base which is fastened to the bracket or base plate 2,as shown in Fig. 1, and with a fuel oil or carbureter chamber 23,extending into the upward extension of the case section on each side ofthe gear chamber 22,"a's shown in Fig. 6. A primary drive shaft 25 isjournaled in the crank andclutch case 5- and in the upward extension ofthe main case section 21, in axial alignment with the crank bearing9,and isprovided with a gear26. A secondary drive shaft 27 is journaledin the main case section 21, below and parallel with the shaft 25,and isprovided with a pinion 28, meshing withthe 'gear'2'6. The V shaft 27passes through and has bearingsin a sleeve 29 and 'rexjnovablecover 30of the case section 21, as shownin Fi 2. At'its ends the shaft 27is'provided with members 32 and 33, of Oldham or'flexible couplings,whicha're set at right angles to each other for connection with a shaftsuch as the pump shaft 34 of anen'gine, and'the magneto 1, as shown inFig. 1, so that inmounting the starter unit in the original position ofthe magneto and connecting them with each other and with the pump shaft,retiming of the magneto is avoided. The sleeve 29, which encloses a partofthe shaft 27'and separates it from the carbureter' chamber 23, opensat one end into the gear chamber 22. F elt or packing washers3.5,inserted in recesses inthe cover 30, an'd'inthe outer end. of thesleeve 29, prevent leakage of'lubrieating oil from the case at theendsof the shaft. 7

Between the crank bearing 9 and theshaft 25, a rotary and axiallyshiftable "clutch member '37 is interposed, as shown in Fig. 2. Atitsends the clutch'member' 37 isformed with tongues "for engagement withconesponding' cross grooves in the adjacent crank journal and in theshaft 25, one of the tonguesbeing in constant engagement with one ofthegrooves, whilethe other tongue is movable into and out of enga ementwith the other groove. It is also ormed with circular rack teeth, whichare 'engaged'by a pinion 38 on a shaft '39 passing throuh or into atransverse'bore 40, formed in t e crank and clutch case 5 andintersecting the clutch chamber, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

At its inner end theipinion shaft 39. has a'bearing in a flanged cover"and bearing member 42,ffitting in the 'bore 4'0, and at its outere'nd'ithas a bearing in a flanged cover 43, which'is bolted with agovernor-or controller case 44to the c'rank and "clutch case 5. Theshaft 39 is;provided, as shown in Figs. 3 and 1'2,'with a piniondid-meshing with a "rack 46 guided in the governor case 44. The case 44is formed at the upper end with a fluid pressure starting chamber 47,which is provided with a piston or movable part 48, to engage the upperend of the rack 46.

A spring 49, interposed between the lower end of the case 44 and rack46, tends to move the rack upwardly and through the pinion shaft 39, toshift the clutch member 37 into position, as shown in Fig. 2, todisconnect the compressor crank 8 from the drive shaft 25, and therebyrender the compressor inoperative.

To hold the clutch member 37 in position to operatively connect thecompressor with the drive shaft 25, the governor or controller isprovided, as shown in Fig. 12, with a pivoted trigger or latch 51,arranged to engage with a notch in or shoulder on the rack 46, when itis shifted into position by the admission of fluid pressure into thechamber 47, to operatively connect the compressor with the drive shaft.The governor is also provided with a fluid pressure stopping chamber 53,provided with a dia phragm or movable member 54, which is adapted whenfluid pressure is admitted to said chamber, to thrust a pin 55 againstthe trigger or latch 51 and throw it out of engagement with the rack 46,thereby permitting the spring 49 through the pinion shaft 39 to shiftthe clutch member 37 out of engagement with the drive shaft 25, as shownin Fig. 2. The trigger or latch 51 is normally held in engagement withthe rack 46 by a spring pressed plunger 56, as shown in Fig. 12, and thepin 55 is retracted by a spring 57 interposed between a head or flangeon the outer end of the pin, and an adjusting nut 58, which is threadedin the inner end of the chamber 53 and in which the pin is guidedadjacent its inner end.

The chamber 53 is connected by a pipe 59. as shown in Fig. 1, with thedischarge valve chamber of the compressor.

The pinion shaft 39, projecting outwardly from the cover 43, is providedwith a handle arm 60, for manually shifting the clutch member 37whenever there is insufficient pressure in the reservoir 3 for operatingthe governor or controller, or in case the governor or controller is outof order.

The distributing valve comprises a case consisting of a seat member 62and a chambered cover 63 removably bolted therewith to the upwardextension of the main case section 21 at the end opposite the crank andclutch case 5. The seat member, which is fitted and held in a recess inthe case section 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7, is formed with a centralbore in axial alignment with the shaft 25, the reduced end of whichextends into it. It is also formed, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, withports 64 and passages registering with passages 65 in the (ase section21, which are connected by pipes 66 with the engine cylinders, as shownin Figs. 1 and 5, through outwardly closing check valves 67, like orsimilar to those described in Letters Patent 1,185,784.

The number and arrangement of the service and delivery ports andpassages and their connections with the engine may be varied accordingto the make or kind of engine and the number and arrangement of itscylinders.

A rotary valve disk 68, provided with a through port 69, is mounted andangularly adjustable on the reduced threaded end of a spindle 70, whichis rotatable and axially movable in the bore of the seat member 62, andhas an eccentric axial slip tongue and groove connection with the driveshaft 25, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. The offset of the tongue and grooveconnection of the valve spindle and drive shaft from their center,prevents assembling and operative engagement of these parts except in acertain predetermined angular relation to each other.

The valve disk is locked in adjusted position on its spindle by a washer72, loosely splined on the reduced end of the spindle and forced intoengagement with the hub of the valve disk by a nut 73. The face of thewasher next to the valve disk is toothed, as shown in Fig. 11, to biteinto the hub of the valve disk and prevent its slipping out of place,the washer being made of harder metal, such as steel, than the valvedisk, which may be made of brass. A supply or inlet passage 75, formedas shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, in the case section 21, valve seat 62and cover 63. leads into the valve chamber outside of the valve disk andis connected at its outer end by a pipe 76 with the drivers valve 18.The passage 7 5 communicates adjacent its outer end with the upper partof the car'bureter chamber through a passage 78, as shown in Fig 6, thepassage 75 being slightly restricted as compared with the bore of thepipe 76, so that the fuel oil in the carbureter chamber will besubjected to a slightly higher pressure than prevails in the passage 75when compressed air is admitted to the starter unit.

A spray nozzle 80 extends upwardly from the lower part of the chamber 23into the passage 75 for carbureting the compressed air as it passes tothe distributing valve. The nozzle is inserted in place and may bereached for inspection and for removing any obstruction therefrom,through an opening in the case section 21 into the passage 75 oppositethe nozzle, this opening being normally closed by a cap screw 81.

The passage 75 communicates, beyond its connection with the distributingvalve chamber, through a reduced passage 82 iii the case section 21,with the upward extension of the carbureter chamber 23 on the oppositeside of the gear chamber 22 from the passage 7 8, so as to approximatelyequalize the pressure on=the liquid fuel in the upper parts of thecarbureter chamber, which are separated from each otherby theintervening gear chamber.

he port'69 in the valve disk is arranged to register successivelyas thedisk rotates, with the ports 64: in the valve seat, and when the disk isproperly adjusted and timed, to admit charges of the compressed.carbureted air into the engine cylinders in the proper order at thebeginning of the firing strokes of their pistons.

The valve disk 68 may be adjusted on its spindle and properly nmedbsetting the piston of the engine cylinder or of the first cylinder, atthe beginning of its firing stroke, then removing the cap 63, looseningthe nut 73 and turning the disk on the spindle 7 0 till the port 69begins to open into the valve seat port 6 1, connected with the enginecylinder, finally tightening the nut to lock the valve disk in place onthe spindle and replacing the cap 63. i

To facilitate assembling the starter units in the factory where they aremade, for application to engines of a given make or kind, and theinstallation of such units with such engines by other mechanics, thevalve disk is formed in its periphery, as shown in Fig. 5, with asetting hole 83, and the cover 63 is formed with setting holes 84, whichare normally closed by cap screws 85, with either one of which the hole8-1 registers, according to the direction of rotation of the valve disk,when the port 69 is turned to its initial opening position relative tothe port 64:, connected with the engine cylinder or the first cylinderin firing order.

To properly set and time the distributing valve for a given enginewithwhich it is to be installed, the direction of rotation of the pump orother engine shaft with which the starter unit is to be connected, beingknown, the cap screw 85 closing the setting hole 84 for right or lefthand rotation of the valve disk 68, as the case may be, being removed, anail or wire is inserted'through the open hole 84, and the valve disk isrotated till the hole 83 therein registerswith the hole containing' thenail or wire, which will thereupon (lIOp into the hole '83'and lockthevalve disk in'its proper angular position, with its port 69 justbeginning to open the port 64 connected with the first cylinder, as

shown for example, in Fig. 5, for left hand or counterclockwise rotationof the valve disk. 'lhe compressor with the crank and clutch case 5, isthen detached and removed ifrom:the main case section 21, with the shaft25:1and its gear Q6. 'Ihe shaft ;27 :is

then turned till the slot in the coupling member 32 which is to beconnected with the pump or engine shaft 34, is in a horizontal positioncorresponding with the standard practice of magneto setting. The shaft25 and the gear 26 are then replaced in engagement with the valvespindle and inion 28respectively,without disturbing tie angular positionof the shaft 27 except possibly to the extent of a fraction of the widthof a gear tooth, to permit reengagement of the gear with the pinion, thevalve disk being locked and held immovably in its adjusted position, andthe tongue and groove driving connection between the-shaft 2.5 and thespindle 7 0 being engageable in only one angular relationto each other.The compressor with thecrank and clutch case is thenreplaced andfastened to the case section 21. The valve'disk is thus properlyadjusted at the factory where the starter is made, for installation withany given make or kind of engine, and is set and timed whereveritmay beinstalled, by simply removing one cfthe cap screws 85 for right or lefthand rotation, as the case may be, inserting a wireor nail inthe openhole 8% and turning the'valve disk'by means of the shaft 27 till thewire or nail drops into the hole 83 in the disk. The starter unit isthen placed and fastened in position on the bracket or base plate2, andthe shaft is coupled with the pump or engine shaft 34, the wire or nailbeing removed from the hole 84, which is then closed by its ca screw 85.The starter unit is thus installed without taking it apart.

Except during the brief operation of starting the engine with which itis connected. the valve disk 68 is held out of contact with its seatagainst shoulders in the cap 63, as shown in Fig. 2,by; a light spring86, inserted in an axial socket in the outer end of the shaft 25 andbearing zatlits outer end against the valve spindle 70. Unnecessarywear. of-the workingfaceof the Valve disk, which is constantlyrotatedwhile the engine runs, and of the valve seat are thus avoided.

The seat member 62 is filStBIlBtlatO the case member 21 by a singlescrew 88, shown in Fig. 5, so that when desired, said member willremainin place when the cover 63 is removed.

The starting pressure-chamber 47 of the governor or controller-isconnected by a pipe 91 with the'pipe 76, which connects;the'distributingvalve with the drivers valve 18.

The carbureter'chamber .23 maybe supplied with fuel oil through afillingcotk (not shown) inserted in; an opening. into. the passage 78,which is shown=in Fig. '5, and which communicates with=the upper part ofsaid chamber, as shown in Fig. 6. Preferably however, *the apparatus isprovided with means-for automatically supplying the carbureter chamberwith fuel oil from a tank on the tractor, motor truck or car, therebyrelieving the driver or operator from special care or attention in thisrespect. For this purpose the apparatus is provided with a float chamber93 and with a float 94.

The'float' chamber is connected at the bottom with the lower part of thecarburetor chamber 23 by an adaptor or fitting 95, as shown in Figs. 1and 1 1, or it may be formed in a case 21 with the carbureter chamber23, crank and clutch case, and other parts of the starter unit, as shownin Figs. 16 and 17.

The connection between the float chamber and carburetor chamber isprovided with a check valve 96, closing towards the float chamber andhaving a stem guided in a cage 97, which is removably threaded in thebottom of the float chamber and formed at the lower end with a valveseat, the valve being held in place and its movement limited by a nut orcollar fixed on the upper end of the valve stem.

The top or upper part of the float chamber is connected by a pipe 98with the fuel oil tank, and this pipe is provided, as shown in Fig. 1,with a shut-ofi' cock 99.

The fuel supply pipe may be connected with a removable cover 100 of thefloat chamber, in which is threaded a removable valve cage and seat 101,provided with a valve 102, having a stem projecting downwardly into theupper part of the float chamber. The valve is held in place in the cagewhen the cover is removed and its movement is limited, by a screw 103,threaded in the lower part of the cage with its head in position toengage with a collar on the valvestem.

The end of the pipe 98 connected with the float chamber, is providedwith a strainer 104, and the upper reduced end of the cage 101 in whichthe valve is seated, is provided with a cap 105 to prevent impuritiescarried with the, fuel oil from reaching the valve and interfering withits operation. Impurities deposited in the annular space below the cap105 may be removed from time to time by removing the cover 100 from thecarbureter chamber and taking out the cage 101.

The cover 100 is formed with a vent openint: 106 to the atmosphere.through which fuel oil will overflow in case the valve 102 leaks orfails to operate. The overflow of oil from this opening indicatestrouble, and by closing the cock 99 in the fuel oil supply pipe 98,flooding of the carbureter, starter unit and connections, may beavoided.

The dri ers or controlling valve 18, as shown in Fig. 13, comprises acase 108, formed with a flange 109 for fastening it to the foot board ofa truck or car, and provided with ports and pipe connections 11.0, 111and 112, to which the pipes 19, 17 and 76 espectively, are attached.

The valve case-is also formed with a valve chamber 113 and inwardlydirected seats at opposite ends thereof, and is provided with valves 114and 115, guided therein by heads or enlargements 116 of their stems, andadapted to close in opposite directions against the seats, to which theyare normally held by a spring 117 interposed between the heads.

A push pin 119, guided in a nut 120 removably threaded in the upper endof the valve case, is adapted to open the valve 115. The push pin isflattened or formed with an air vent passage 121 on one side, and theupper end of the pin is formed or provided with a valve 122, fitted to aseat in the upper end of the nut 120. A push button 123 for operatingthe push pin 119 to open the valve 115 and close the valve 122, isguided in a cap 124, which is removably threaded on the upper end of thecase 108 above the flange 109. The cap 124 is provided with a ventopening 125.

The lower part of the valve case containing the valve 114 is made in aseparate section, which is threaded in or otherwise detachably fastenedto the body of the case for convenience in construction and assemblageof parts of the device.

The reservoir port 110 communicates with the valve chamber 113 betweenthe valves, the compressor port 111 communicates with the lower end ofthe valve chamber, which is normally closed by the valve 114, and thestarter port 112 communicates with the upperend of the valve chamber,which is normally closed by the valve 115.

For lubrication of the moving parts of the starter unit without specialcare or attention on the part of the driver or operator, the cover andbearing member 42, as shown in Figs. 3 and 1, is formed with an oil duct128, which is connected at its outer end by a pipe 129 with thelubricating system of the truck or car on which the starting apparatusis installed.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower part of the crank chamber 12 isconnected with the gear chamber 22 by an oil duct 131, the upper partsof said chambers being connected by a passage 132 for equalizing thepressure therein and avoiding interference with the circulation oflubricating oil through the starter unit.

The lower part of the clutch chamber communicates with the duct 131through an opening 133.

The bore in the valve seat member 62 is formed at its inner end with anannular recess, as shown in Figs. 2 and 7, in which is inserted. apacking washer 135 of felt or other suitable material, to prevent thefree flow of oil through said bore into the distributing valve chamber,sufficient oil escaping past or through the washer, to properlylubricate the distributing valve disk 68 and its spindle 70. This washeralso prevents the passage of fuel oilfrom the valve chamber into thegear chamber in case of an excess of fuel oil getting into the valvechamber through the passage 7 from the carbureter or from the pipes 66leading to the engine.

As shown in Fig. 1, the lower part of the gear chamber 22 is connectedby a drain or outlet pipe 137 with the crank case of the engine.

In the operation of the apparatus, the reservoir 3 being charged withcompressed air at a pressure, say of 225 pounds per square inch, tostart the engine the operator presses the push button 123 down with hisfoot. The push pin 119 being thus thrust downward, opens the valve 115and closes the valve 122. Compressed air is thus admitted from thereservoir through the pipe 19, pipe and passage into the distributingvalve chamber outside of the rotary disk 68, which is incidentallypressed and held against its seat, as shown in Fig. 7, by the fluidpressure on its outer face. As the engine when it stops, comes to restwithi one of the pistons on its firing stroke, the port 69 in the valvedisk 68 will open or partially open the port 64 in its seatcommunicating with the engine cylinder of that piston, so that thecompressed air carbureted in its passage to the distributing valve, willbe delivered into the engine cylinder on the firing stroke, and will beignited by the ordinary electric ignition apparatus of the engine. Thepiston of the cylinder to which the explosive mixture is thus admittedbeing forced downward by the expansion of the com-- pressed fluid andits explosive force when ignited, starts the engine, and with it thedistributing valve mechanism. As the valve disk 68 rotates, the port 69registers successively with the ports 64 in its seat, admitting to theseveral engine cylinders in proper firing order, compressed charges ofthe explosive mixture of air and oil vapor, which are in turn ignited bythe ignition apparatus of the engine, and exert their explosive force onthe engine pistons.

Whenever compressed air is admitted to the distributing valve, it isalso admitted. through the passages 78 and S2 in the starter unit to theupper partof the carburetor chamber 23, in which it exerts a slightlygreater pressure on the fuel oil than prevails in the passage 75, due tothe slight restriction thereof as compared with the size or bore of thepipe 76. Fuel oil is forced upwardly through the nozzle and dischargedtherefrom in a spray into the compressed air on its way to thedistributing valve chamber, thereby producing an explosive mixture ofthe proper proportions just before it is delivered by the distributingvalve to the engine.

lVith the opening of the valve 115 by the driver to supply compressedair to the distributing valve, compressed air issimultaneously admittedthrough the pipe 91 to the starting chamber 4'7 of the compressorgovernor and forces the movable part 48 downward against the'tens-ion ofthe spring 49. The clutch member 37 is thereby shifted by itsconnections with the governor hereinbefore described, to operativelyconnect the compressor with the drive shaft 25.

The compressor being thus started without care or attention on the partof the driver, delivers compressed air through the pipe 17 to the portin the lower end of the drivers valve, and when the pressure in thereservoir 3 is reduced below that produced by the compressor, the valve114 will automatically open, permitting the compressed air to passthrough the ipe 19 into the reservoir. 7 y

\Vhen the movable part 4801 the starting chamber 47 of the governor isshifted as above stated, to start the compressor, the rack 46 is lockedby the trigger or latch 51 in position to hold the clutch member 37 inoperative engagement with the drive shaft 25, and the compressor willcontinue to operate until the clutch member is released.

When the-pressure in the. res'ervoir'll is restored, or raised. to a;certain limit, which may be indicated by apressure gage connected withthe pipe 19 or reservoir, as shown, in Fig. 1, the compressed airdelivered from the reservoir or compressor through the pipe 59 into thechamber 53 of the"- governor, will compress the spring 57, shift themovable member 54 with the pin thereby disengaging the trigger or latch51 from the rack 46 and releasing the clutch member 37, which willthereupon be shifted by the spring 490i the governor out of engagementwith the drive shaft 25, thus stopping the compressor.

The maximum pressure with which thereservoir.

It it be desired at any time, in case compressed air is required forother purposes than starting, for instance, for the operation of airbrakes, the compressor can be started when the engine is running toreplenish the reservoir, by simply depressing the push button 123 of thedrivers valve.

In case the pressure in the reservoir is exhausted or reduced below thelimit at which it will operate the governor, the compressor can bestarted manually by means of the handle arm 60 of the clutch-shiftingpinion shaft 39. The carbureter chamber 23 is kept supplied with fueloil automatically through the float chamber93, in which a substantiallyconstant level is maintained by the float 94 closing the valve 102 whenthe oil rises in the float chamber above a certain level, and permittingthe valve to open by gravity when the oil descends below that level.

hen the distributing valve of the starter unit is not operating and theoil in the carbureter chamber 23 is not subjected to pressure, the levelof the oil therein will be the same as that in the float chamber 93 andremain at that level, but when pressure is admitted to the carbureterchamber, it will be transmitted through the oil therein and through theconnection between it and the float chamber and will close the checkvalve 96, which will remain closed, resulting in the. lowering of theoil level in the carbureter chamber from which oil is drawn in themeantime for the operation of the starter till the pressure is releasedfrom the carbureter chamber, whereupon the oil will rise in said chamberto the level of that in the float chamber. The descent of the oil levelin the float chamber, causing the float to descend, releases the valve102, thereby admitting oil from the supply connection into the floatchamber until the normal level therein andin the carbureter chamber 23is restored.

The automatic check valve 96 in the connection between the carbureterchamber 23 and the float chamber 93 closing whenever compressed air isadmitted to the carbureter chamber, prevents the float from beingsubjected to and collapsed or affected by the pressure required for theoperation of the starting apparatus.

Lubrication of the starter unit is effected without attention on thepart of the driver other than that required to maintain a supply of oilfor the lubrication of the engine. Oil being supplied from thelubricating system of the engine by the pipe 129, Fig. 4, through theoil duct 128 in the member 42, passing into and flowing through thetrans verse bore 40 of the crank and clutch case 5 and thence into thelongitudinal bore of said case and into the governor case 44 attachedthereto, lubricates the clutch, the clutch-shifting mechanism, governormechanism, drive shaft 25 and distributing valve. The-oil passingthrough the crank bearing 9 into the crank chamber 12, is taken up bythe crank 8 when the compressor is in operation, and splashed upwardlyinto the compressor cylinder and piston, thereby keeping the movingparts of the compressor lubricated. Oil passing through the bearing inthe crank and clutch case around the shaft 25 and from the crank andclutch chambers through the duct 131 and opening 133 into the gearchamber 22, lubricates the gear and pinion therein. From the lower partof the gear chamber adjacent the pinion 28, oil passes to the bearingsof the shaft 27, being prevented from escaping at the ends of the shaftby the packing washers 35. Surplus oil is discharged from the lower partof the gear chamber 22 through the pipe 137 into the crank case of theengine, from which it is taken up by the oil pump of the engine forfurther circulation through the lubricating system of the engine andstarter apparatus.

The air vent passage 121 and opening 125 of the drivers valve 18 enablethe carbureter chamber 23 to be automatically replenished from the floatchamber 93 under atmospheric pressure when the push button 123 isreleased to permit the valve 115 to close and the valve 122 to openafter each starting operation.

I claim:

1. In starting appart-us for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a valve case provided with a seat having a port forconnection with an engine cylinder, a ro tary and axially movable valvedisk fitting said seat and having a port adapted to register with theport in the seat, means tending to shift the valve disk out of contactwith its seat, means for rotating the valve disk, and a chamber formedby the valve case on the opposite side of the valve disk from its seatand having a fluid pressure supply connection, the valve disk beingadapted to be shifted and held against its seat when fluid underpressure is admitted to said chamber.

2. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a valve case provided with a seat having a port forconnection with an engine cylinder, a rotary and axially movabledistributing valve disk fitting said seat and having a port adapted toregister with the port in the seat, means tending to shift and hold thevalve disk out of contact, with its seat, a chamber formed by the valvecase on the opposite side of the valve disk from its seat and having afluid pressure supply connection, the valve disk being adapted to beshifted and held against its seat when fluid under pressure is admittedto said chamber, and a shaft arranged in axial alignment with the valvedisk and having an axial slip connection therewith.

3-. In, starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a valve case provided with a seat having a port forconnection with an engine cylinder, a rotary valve spindle journaledand. axially movable in said case, a distributing valve disk, mountedand angularly adjustable on the spindle and having a port arranged toregister with the port in the seat, means tending to shift and hold thevalve dish; out of contact with its seat, a chamber formed by the caseon the opposite side of the valve disk from its seat and having a fluidpressure supply connection for shifting and holding the valve diskagainst its seat when fluid under pressure is admitted to the chamber, adrive shaft arranged'in axial alignment with the valve spindle andhaving a detachable eccentric axial-slip driving connection with thespindle.

l. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a chamber provided with a seat having a portforconnection with an engine cylinder, a shouldered valve spindlejournaled and movable axially in said case and having a reduced threadedend, a distributing valve-disk mounted and angularly adjustable on thereduced end of. the spindle and having a port arranged to register withthe port in the seat, a toothed locking washer keyed on and adjustablelengthwise of the spindle, a clamping nut threaded on the spindle andadapted to force the washer into locking engagement; with the valvedisk, and means for rotating saidv spindle and disk.

5. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a case provided with a valve seat having a port forconnection with an engine cylinder, a valve spindle journaled andaxially movable in said seat, a valve disk mounted and angularlyadjustable on said spindle and having a port arranged to register withthe port in the seat, a chamber formed by the case on the opposite sideof the valve disk from its seat and having a fluid pressure supplyconnection, means tending to shift and hold the valve disk out ofcontact with its seat, said valve disk being adapted to be shifted andheld against its seat by fluid pressure admitted to said chamber, aprimary drive shaft mounted in the case in axial alignment with thevalve spindle and having an axial slip driving connection with saidspindle, and a secondary drive and coupling shaft connected with theprimary shaft by gears and provided at its ends with members of tongueand groove couplings set at right angles to each other.

6. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a valve case provided with a valve seat havin a port forconnection with an engine cylinder a rotary distributing valve, diskprovided with a setting hole and with a port arranged to registerperiodically with the port in said seat as the disk rotates, a primarydrive shaft arranged in, axial alignment with the valve disk and havingan axially separable driving connection therewith, and a secondary driveshaft geared with the other shaft and provided with a coupling member,the valve case having a settin hole arranged to register with thesetting hole in the valve disk when the port in the valve disk is in itsinitial opening position relative to the portin the valve seat, and theprimary drive shaft with its gear being removable lengthwise fromengagement with the valve disk andthe secondary drive shaft to changethe angular relation between the valve disk and the coupling member ofthe secondary drive shaft.

7. Instarting apparatus for internal combustion engines, the combinationof a valve case provided with a valve seat havin a port for connectionwith an engine cylin er, a rotary distributing valve disk provided witha setting hole-and with a port arranged to register periodically withthe port in. said seat as the. disk rotates, a primary drive shaftarranged in axial alignment with the valve disk and having an axiallyseparable driving connection therewith, and a secondary drive shaftgeared with the other shaft and provided with a coupling member, thevalve case having two setting holes. arranged, to register with thesetting hole in the valve disk when the disk is rotated in oppositedirections and the port therein is in its initial opening positionrelative to the port in the seat, and the primary shaft with its gearbeing removable lengthwise fromv engagement with the valve disk and thegear of the secondary shaft to change the angular relation between thevalve disk and the coupling member of the secondary drive shaft.

8. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination. of a case composed of separable sections and provided witha valve seat having a port for connection with an engine cylinder, avalve spindle journaled and axially movable in said seat, a valve diskfixed on said spindle and having a port arranged to registerperiodically with the port in the seat, a chamber formed by the case onthe opposite side of the valve disk from its seat and having a fluidpressure supply connection, means tending to shift and hold "the valvedisk out of contact with its seat, said valve disk being adapted to beshifted and held against its seat by fluid pressure admitted to saidchamber, a primary drive shaft mounted in said case in axial alignmentwith the valve spindle and having an eccentric axial slip drivingconnection therewith, a secondary drive and coupling shaft mounted insaid case parallel with the other shaft and provided at its ends withmembers of tongue and groove couplings set at right angles to each otherand gears connecting said shafts with each other, the valve disk and itscase being formed with holes which register with each other when theport in the disk is in its initial opening position, and the primaryshaft with its gear being removable from engagement with the valvespindle and the gear of the secondary shaft.

9. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a main case section provided with a mounting base and atone end with a valve case having a seat with a port for connection withan engine cylinder, a compressor comprising a crank and clutch caseremovably mounted on the other end of the main case section, a rotarydistributing valve fitting said seat and having a port arranged toregister periodically with the port in the seat as the disk rotates, aprimary drive shaft journaled in the main case section and valve case inaxial alignment with the valve disk and having an axially separabledriving connection with said disk, a crank journaled in the crank andclutch case in axial alignment with said shaft, a clutch for connectingthe crank with said shaft, means for shifting the clutch, a secondarydrive shaft. mounted in the main case and provided at the ends withcoupling members, and gears connecting said shafts with each other.

10. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a crank case open at one end and side and provided with aremovable end cover, a drive shaft mounted in said case, a crank havinghearings in said case in axial alignment with the drive shaft anddetachably connected with the drive shaft, a compressor cylinderremovably mounted on said case over the side opening therein andprovided with a piston connected by a rod with the crank, the crank andconnecting rod being removable bodily with the cylinder and piston fromthe crank case and drive shaft through the side and end opening in thecrank case when the cover is detached.

11. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a case comprising a base section, a crank case detachablyfastened to one end of the base section, and a valve case detachablyfastened in the opposite end of the base section; a primary drive shaftprovided with bearings in the base section and crank case; a crankhaving bearings in the crank case in axial alignment with said shaft; aclutch mounted in the crank case for detachably connecting said crankand shaft; a compressor cylinder mounted on the crank case and having apiston connected with the rrank; a rotary distributing valve diskmounted in the valve case in axial alignment with said shaft anddetachably connected therewith; and a secondary drive shaft mounted inthe base section and provided with coupling members at the ends andgeared with the primary drive shaft; the crank case with the compressorand the valve case with the distributing valve being removable from thebase section without disturbing its mounting or the connections of thesecondary shaft.

12. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a distributing valve having a compressed air supplyconnection, a carbureter comprising a chamber and adapted to carburetthe compressed air supplied to the distributing valve, a float chamberthe lower part of which is connected with the lower part of thecarbureter chamber, a valve in the connection between said chambersadapted to close when pressure is admitted to the carbureter chamber, aliquid fuel supply connection with the float chamber, a valve in thesupply connection, and a float adapted to close the supply valve whenliquid rises to a certain level in the float chamber.

13. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of distributing valve mechanism adapted to supply anexplosive mixture to an engine cylinder on the firing strokes of itspiston and having a compressed air supply connection, a carburetei.chamber having a compressed air supply connection with the upper partthereof and a spray nozzle opening into the compressed air supplyconnection of the distributing valve mechanism, a float chamber having avent opening in the upper part thereof and a connection between thelower part thereof and the lower part of the carbureter chamber providedwith a check valve closing towards the float chamber, a liquid fuelsupply connection with the float chamber provided with a valve, and afloat adapted to close the valve in the fuel supply connection when theliquid rises to a certain level in the float chamber.

14. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a compressed air reservoir, a compressor connected withthe reservoir, distributing valve mechanism connected with thereservoir, a governor comprising a pressure chamber connected with thereservoir, and. a movable part adapted to start the compressor wheneverpressure is admitted to said. chamber, fluid pressure actuated meansconnected with the reservoir and adapted. to automatically stop thecompressor whenever the pressure in the reservoir is raised to a certainpoint and a controlling valve :"u'ianted to simultaneously opencommunication from the reservoir to the distributing valve mechanismand. to the governor.

15. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a main case section containing a carbureter chamber andhaving a mounting base and parallel shaft bearings, a crank caseremovably mounted on one end of the main case section and havinghearings in alignment with one of the bearings therein, a valve caseremovably mounted on. the other end of the main use section, a primarydrive shaft mounted in aligned bearings of the main case section andcrank case, a compressor crank mounted in the crank case in axialalignment with the primary drive shaft with which it hasa separabledriving connection, a compressor cylinder mounted on and removable withthe crank case from the main case section and provided with a pistonconnected with the crank, a distributing valve having a rotary spindlemounted in and removable with the valve case from the main case sectionin axial alignment with the primary drive shaft with which. the valvespindle has a separable driving connection, a secondary drive shaftmounted. in the base of the main case section and provided at the endswith coupling members, gears connecting the drive shafts, and compressedair supply, liquidfuel supply, and explosive mixture delivery pipeconnections attached to the main base section, the crank case with thecompressor and the valve case with the dis tributing valve beingremovable without disturbing the mounting and pipe connections of themain base section and the coupling connections of the secondary driveshaft.

16. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a case containing crank, gear and valve chamberscommunicating with. one another through axially aligned shaft and crankbearings; a compressor cylinder mounted on the upper part of the caseand opening into the crank chambema primary drive shaft, crank, andvalve spindle mounted in said bearings, a secondary drive shaft mountedin the case below the primary drive shaft and connected therewith bygears, an oil supply connection leading into the case between the crankand gear chambers, an oil duct leading from the lower part of the crankchamber into the gear chamber, and an oil outlet connection leading outof the lower part of the gear chamber.

17. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a case containing crank, gear, clutch and valve chamberscommunicating with one another through aligned openings, the case havinga transverse bore intersecting the clutch chamber; a primary driveshaft, crank and valve spindle having hearings in said openings; ashift-able clutch member for connecting the crank with said drive shaft;a clutch shifting shaft mounted in the transverse bore of the case; aclosure for one end. of the transverse bore provided with an oil supplyconnection and a passage leading therefron'i into the bore; a secondarydrive shaft mounted in the case below the primary drive shaft andconnected therewith by gears enclosed in said gear chamber; an oil ductleading from the crank case into the gear chamber between the driveshafts; and an oil outlet connection leading from the gear chamber behiwsaid duct,

18. In sl'iarting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a reservoir; a compressor; distributing valve mechanism;and a controlling valve comprising a case caving connections with thereservoir, COHIPITGSSOT and distributing valve mechanism, valve disksopening in opposite directions towards the reservoir connection betweenthem; means tending to close the valve disks; the connections with thecompressor and with the distributing valve mecha ,ism being made withthe case on opposite sides of the valve disks from the reservoirconnection; and a push pin for opening the valve disk, which controlsthe connection. with the distributing valve mech anism, provided with apassage which opens said connection to atmosphere when the valve disk isclosed and with a valve for closing said passage when said valve disk 18open.

19. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a compressed air reservoir, distributing valve mechanism;a compressor; a governor comprising a pressure starting chamber and amovable part adapted to start the compressor when fluid pressure isadmitted to the chamber; and a controlling valve comprising a casehaving connections with the reservoir, distributing valve mechanism andgovernor, oppositely seating valve disks on opposite sides of andopening towards the reservoir connection, means tending to close thevalve disks, the connections with the distriliniting valve mechanism,compressor and governor being made with the case on,

opposite sides of the valve disks from the reservoir connection, andmeans for opening at will the valve disk which controls the connectionwith the distributing valve mechanism and governor.

20. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a compressed air reservoir; distributing valve mechanism;a compressor; a governor comprising a stopping chamber connected withthe discharge side of the compressor, a starting chamber, and acontrolling valve comprising a case having connections with thereservoir, distributing valve mechanism and starting chamber of thegovernor, oppositely seating valve disks on opposite sides oi andopening towards the reservoir connection, means tending to close thevalve disks, the connections with the distributing valve mechanism andthe starting chamber 01" the governor and with the compressor being madewith the case on opposite sides of the disks from the reservoirconnection, and means for opening at will the valve diskwhich controlsthe connection with the distributing valve mechanism and governor.

21. In starting appaatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of distributing valve mechanism comprising a case and arotary member provided with setting holes registering with each otherwhen the rotary member is in position to deliver starting fluid to anengine cylinder at the beginning of the firing stroke of its piston, adrive shaft provided with a coupling member for connection with anengine shaft, and an adjustable transmission connection between saidrotary member and drive shaft.

22. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a distributing valve case provided with setting holes forright and left rotation, a rotary member provided with a setting holeregistering with either setting hole in the case according to thedirection of rotation of said. member when it is in position to deliverstarting fluid to an engine cylinder at the beginning of the firingstroke of its piston, a drive shaft provided with a coupling member forconnection with an engine shaft and an adjustable transmissionconnection between said rotary member and drive shaft.

23. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of a reservoir, a compressor, a distributing valve and acontrolling valve comprising a case having connections with thereservoir, compressor and distributing valve, valve disks openingtowards the reservoir connection, one controlling the connection withthe compressor and the other the connection with the distributing valve,means tending to close the valve disks, and means for opening at willthe valve disk which controls the connection between the distributingvalve and reservoir.

24. In starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, thecombination of an enclosed rotary distributing valve member adapted toadmit in successive charges compressed starting fluid to an enginecylinder on the firing strokes of its piston, a drive shaft provided atthe ends with coupling members set at right angles to each other, and areleasable or adjustable transmission connection between saiddistributing valve member and shaft, whereby the angular relation ofsaid distributing valve member to the coupling members may be changed.

In witness whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

NIELS A. CHRISTENSEN.

